Terrestrial Chironomidae (Diptera)
Some SEM micrographs of larval morphology...
| Pseudosmittia longicrus (K.) | |
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| Head and anterior parapods | Mandible, lateral view |
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| Reduced antenna | Maxillary palp |
| <lacking picture> | <lacking picture> |
| Labrum & premento-hypopharyngeal complex | Mentum |
| <lacking picture> | <lacking picture> |
| Posterior part of the boby | Posterior parapods & anal tubules |
The shape of the mandible, the maxillary palp, as well as the reduced antenna are characteristics of the genus. Labrum with setae SI and SII bifid, SIII simple. Mentum with a single median tooth and five lateral teeth. Posterior parapods strongly reduced, four anal tubules. Larvae of this species were abundant in the very thin soil of a dry
heathland in Brittany (France). They were able to withstand summer drought in aestivation
cocoons. Adults emerged twice a year in spring and autumn. Terrestrial Chironomidae Home page |
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